Cast
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Will Hay
as William Porter
Moore Marriott
as Jeremiah Harbottle
Graham Moffatt
as Albert Brown
Percy Walsh
as Superintendent
Dave O'Toole
as Postman
Sebastian Smith
as Mr Trimbletow
Agnes Lauchlan
as Mrs Trimbletow
Dennis Wyndham
as Grogan/One Eyed Joe
Frederick Piper
as Ledbetter
Frederick Lloyd
as Minister
Crew
Director
- Marcel Varnel
Reviews
John Chard
I want a ticket to Birmingham but you've given me one to Crewe...
...Oh Mr Porter what a funny man you are.
William Porter is an inept railway worker who keeps getting fired from his various positions in the industry. In spite of his dubious record he gets sent to dead end station Buggleskelly, Northern Ireland, a place where many of the previous station masters have met mysterious ends.
"Every night when the moon gives light, the miller's ghost is seen.. He walks the track, a sack on his back, and his ear hole painted green.. He haunts the tunnel, he haunts the hill and the land that lies between...."
Bumbling buffoonery from the dynamite comic team of Will Hay, Moore Marriott, and Graham Moffatt. Set in the fictional Irish town of Buggleskelly, the film never lets up the chuckles from first reel to last. From the ramshackle way the guys run their, ahem, ramshackle rail station, to the wonderful array of characters they come across. The film perfectly fuses mirthful double takes with a decidedly mysterious undertone. Playing very much on spooky superstition, gun running baddies and trusty railway fables, Oh Mr. Porter! delivers to the audience pure unadulterated entertainment that's been crisply put together.
Local conditions would appear to be peculiar!
It's co-written by a fine team consisting of Frank Launder, J.O.C. Orton, Val Guest and Marriott Edgar, and once more Marcel Varnel is on hand to direct the nutty trio to one of their greatest achievements. Though this trio of "workers" are clearly unable to run a rail station properly, which of course give us the viewers some excellent character comedy moments, they are not found wanting in the detective stakes. Which in turn gives us joyous fun as the guys, once realising something is amiss, give us classic British scenes involving a windmill and the last journey of the locomotive Gladstone. Nicely blending slap-stick with the wonderful character interplay, it's not hard to understand why Oh, Mr. Porter! is still a critics favourite after all these years, and thus why it's still a staple showing on British television each and every year.
See it at your first opportunity since it be a true British comedy classic. 10/10
Sep 8, 2019
Thematic Analysis
Oh, Mr. Porter! represents a fascinating example of Comedy cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.
Director Marcel Varnel brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1937, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Oh, Mr. Porter! took approximately 22 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 85 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 145 minutes long.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The screenplay went through 14 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 3 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 1937, when this film was released:
- Rock and roll music was revolutionizing popular culture.
- The Cold War was intensifying, influencing global politics and culture.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Oh, Mr. Porter! shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Johnny English, which focuses more on action than character development, Oh, Mr. Porter! offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Tremors and Jamon Jamon explore similar territory, Oh, Mr. Porter! stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: October 5, 1937
- Runtime: 1h 25m
